The Only Red 1989 RUF CTR1 ‘Yellowbird’ Could Fetch $5 Million

The RUF ‘Yellowbird’ is a revered supercar with prices to match and examples regularly going for mid-seven-figure prices. That’s even for this Bordeaux Red one, which could fetch $5 million at Monterey Car Week.

The Bordeaux Red RUF CTR1 ‘Yellowbird’ is one of six Lightweight versions made, of 29 RUF CTR1 ‘Yellowbirds’ total. The rest, of course, were yellow, but this example was different, sometimes called the ‘Redbird.’ It was, for a while, Alois Ruf’s personal car. Around 11,745 miles are on the odometer. Its rarity can not be questioned, nor can its authenticity, with RM Sotheby’s saying it has its original 3.4-liter twin-turbo flat-six and various documents, including a RUF certificate.

That engine was rated at 463 horsepower, an impressive number for a car weighing only around 2,600 pounds. The RUF CTR1 ‘Yellowbird’ first became famous for using all that power and lightweight construction to go 211 mph in a testing by Road & Track that was published in 1987. That is, indeed, a fast number for any time in automotive history, but also beat out the giants of the day, including the Porsche 959, AMG Hammer, and Ferrari F40.

This 1989 RUF CTR1 ‘Yellowbird’ Lightweight is said to have been ordered by a German doctor, and the Lightweight trim was for the true sickos. The car had no roll cage, aluminum body panels instead of steel, no power brakes, no sunroof, and no radio, among other weight-reducing moves.

This example was further customized by the car’s first owner, with a different suspension, six-point harnesses, custom telemetry, power windows, a heated windshield and rear window, chrome trim, and a unique Pfaffenhausen hood badge. There was no roll cage, either, but RM Sotheby’s notes that “original mounting plates remain intact and ready for immediate use,” if the new owner wants to install one.

The car has spent time in Germany, Austria, Belgium, and, now, America. It will go up for auction on August 16 in Monterey, and comes at a time when Yellowbirds are flying pretty high in the secondary marketplace. One example sold for over $6 million earlier this year, and while the Redbird may not fetch as much, it will very likely be in the ballpark.

Click here for more photos of the 1989 RUF CTR1 ‘Yellowbird’ Lightweight.

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